Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. seeks an attorney to work in its Homeless Prevention Unit to prevent low-income tenants from becoming homeless.
Who We Are:
GBLA strives to accomplish its mission by first providing legal services to meet the basic legal needs of its eligible clients. These basic legal problems generally involve preventing homelessness, access to health care, and securing financial resources to meet basic necessities of life. Secondly, GBLA tries to help those eligible clients who are able and willing to get out of poverty. In this regard, GBLA’s focus is on those legal needs that address issues of economic and family stability, physical security, and access to high quality education.
Full job description:
Staff attorneys are expected to use the full range of potential forums to address relevant issues for our clients including all aspects of litigation, including but not limited to, court hearings, trials, and appellate and federal court representation. Staff attorneys pay special attention to identifying legal solutions for those who suffer from disparate treatment or disproportionate burdens of poverty based on special needs, disability, race, ethnicity, language barriers or other obstacles. In addition to representing clients directly, attorneys are also expected to work to expand access to justice for low income persons through varied activities such as community legal education, outreach, training, technical assistance, and collaboration with the private bar, local community and client groups, human and social service agencies, and local justice systems and government agencies.
Minimum qualifications:
Degree from a law school and an active member of the California Bar, or a member of the Bar of another state and willing to take the California Bar at the next available opportunity.
Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy.
Strong motivation to represent people of low income and to explore creative solutions to problems faced by our client population.
Civil litigation experienced desired.
Strong written and oral communication skills including delivering public presentations.
High degree of initiative and willingness to work collaboratively with others.
Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English desirable.
Must be computer literate.
Must have a valid California Driver’s License, automobile insurance and reliable transportation
Duties and Responsibilities:
Heavy client interaction including interviewing and issue spotting.
Client representation ranging from counsel and advice to direct representation.
Supervision and training of support staff, as needed.
Implements and monitors assigned project(s)’s goals and objectives within the Scope of Work to assure positive outcomes.
Assists with reporting in accordance with the assigned project’s Scope of Work.
Communicates and/or participates with the funding agencies as appropriate.
Other Duties: Due to changing program and demands, funding source expectations and/or changes in agency policy, as assigned, all staff may be expected to perform other duties.
Educational Requirement:
J.D. and a member of the California Bar, or willing and qualified to take the next bar exam, or a member of the Bar of another state and willing to take the California Bar at the next available opportunity. This is an entry-level position or higher.
Compensation and Benefits:
Exempt position with an annual salary commensurate with qualifications and experience ($83,425-91,000). Generous benefit package, a 37.5-hour workweek, paid sick, vacation leave, and holiday. 100% employer-paid medical premium for employee (dependent coverage optional though a Sec 125 plan paid by employee) 100% employer-paid premium dental and life insurance for employee and dependents. 100% employer-paid long/short term disability for employee. Employee also has the option to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan, employee only contributions.